Cyclocross

Wheel-sucking sand pits, uphill barriers, and unpredictable weather and course conditions.
Check out Team USA riders competing on the international circuit, and the programs that help Team USA dominate those events.

Support Programs

Hard work does pay off. USA Cycling is proud to support high-performing athletes with financial, technological, and logistical programs that allow them to focus their efforts even further.

Athletes qualify for different levels of support -- Gold, Silver, Bronze, and National Development Team -- based on results.

For information on how to qualify or get nominated for event team participation, sponsorship programs, and other requirements, please visit the International Events page.

Development Programs

Summer Cyclocross Training Camps

The goal of the camps (one week for women; one week for men) is to bring together the top Junior and U23 cyclocross talent in one location for a five-day training, planning and skills building camp. The camps will seek to create an environment that cultivates team building, on and off the bike, which is designed to build a cohesive group of riders for their arrival in Europe for the cyclocross season. An emphasis will be placed on planning a strategic training blueprint for the cyclocross season as well as improving the unique bike handling skills critical for success in this discipline. The camp also will serve as an identification tool for our coaches to assess the likelihood of success at top level international cyclocross competition.

Elements

Summer Cyclocross Development Camps to include race schedule planning, training strategy and planning, cyclocross skills work, on and off bike strength and flexibility training

Five-day camp held three (3) months in advance of cyclocross season on the Carroll College campus in Helena, Montana

Top U23 and Junior athletes invited to participate

Foster team building atmosphere to strengthen European racing experience for the European season

Identify athletes who are preparing well in the “off season” and use information in rider selection for European race opportunities

Elite Athlete Support

This season USA Cycling plans to support a select number of our best elite cyclocross athletes at our base in Sittard. This support will be specifically tailored to each rider’s needs in terms of time frame and support level. The goal will be to ensure that our best riders can maximize their efforts at World Cup and UCI events in Northern Europe when their professional teams cannot offer this specific European race support. The USAC base in Sittard, Netherlands offers a unique and high-level opportunity for our riders to improve our prospects for podium-level results at the highest tier of the discipline of cyclocross.

September Domestic Race Program

The early domestic season race effort will include the two US World Cups in Iowa City, Iowa and Waterloo, Wisconsin. The objective is to select those top U23 riders who qualify based on their UCI ranking. These two high quality events offer an opportunity for up-and-coming U23 riders to get their first taste of world cup competition, competing against the best in the world.

Elements

Early season world cup cyclocross racing effort

Includes first World Cups, hosted in US

Top Elite, U23 riders selected based on UCI ranking

National Team Coach advisory support

Registration and logistical support

October European Race Program

The early season race effort will include two weeks of international cyclocross racing from the European base in Sittard, Holland. This block of racing will normally include the season’s first European World Cup event. USA Cycling has outfitted a fully stocked service course in Sittard that is capable of providing all the equipment necessary to support a world class race effort. The lodging and training in Sittard also are highly supportive of all elite athlete requirements.

Elements

Fully supported two-week European cyclocross racing effort

Top Elite, U23 and Junior aged riders will attend

Includes first European World Cup (October)

World-class coaching, training and competition program

Logistical support at all events

November European Race Program

This November program, based out of Sittard, will include four to five European races to be held in a two-week span. The goal is to expose our best athletes to the specific demands of top level international cyclocross racing. The depth of competition and difficulty of the race courses combine to make this the best and most effective method of preparing our riders for the future. USA Cycling will select riders who have proven their ability in the early season race program and who are on track to qualify for the World Championship team. This race program will, most likely, include the November world cups as well as a number of other international events.

Elements

Fully supported two-week European cyclocross racing effort

Large block of racing with four to five top level events

Includes November World Cups

Top Elite, U23 and Junior aged riders to attend

World-class coaching, training and competition program

Logistical support at all events

December European Race Program

After a brief respite in the USA, top performers from the Early and Mid-Season Race ProgramS and a number of younger development-aged riders will return to Sittard to participate in the traditional “kersteperiod” of cyclocross races. These events are very challenging and the compressed schedule offers these riders a chance to absorb cumulative racing experience over a shorter period of time. The riders will compete in several high-level UCI events (including December World Cups) over a two-week period. The purpose is to allow the riders to adapt to the heavy load of racing in advance of their final trip to Europe for the World Championships in early 2018.

Elements

Top Elite, U23 and Junior-aged riders to attend as well as larger pool of development riders

World-class coaching, training and competition program

Logistical support at all events

World Championship Race Program

This is the final race program of the cyclocross season. USA Cycling will support the riders who have been selected to the World Championship cyclocross team. This race program is designed to give our top athletes an opportunity to work on their final preparation for a World Championship podium performance. The program begins with the final World Cup of the season, traditionally Hoogerheide, Netherlands, and culminates with the 2018 World Championships in Valkenburg, Netherlands. The goal is to minimize the stress on the riders between the events to ensure they arrive at the Worlds well-rested and prepared to compete at their best.

Elements

Final World Championship preparation

Use World Cup race as final tune-up for World Championships

Support only World Championship Team riders

Based out of Sittard, Netherlands for World Cups

Prepare for World Championships, just down the road in Valkenburg.

Regional Talent ID Camps

Camp Purpose

The mission of USA Cycling's Regional Talent ID Camps is to Provide USA Cycling with Jr. Talent Evaluations while Offering Athletes a Pathway to Develop Their Cycling Ability. Our Talent ID Camps are the first step for young male and female athletes to enter into the USA Cycling development pipeline, providing them guidance and development towards their cycling future. USA Cycling Regional Talent ID Camps are for athletes racing age 14 to 19 years and attendees should have some racing experience.

The primary goal of the Talent ID Camps is to recognize athletes who, at an early age, show signs of potential future success in cycling. Receiving instruction from some of USA Cycling’s finest coaches, the camps also provide the necessary framework to improve the athletes skillset, thus progressing their cycling development. Regional Talent ID Camps provide vital input towards selecting riders for international competition and/or a national camp. 80 percent of athletes invited to our National Talent ID Camp have attended a Regional Talent ID Camp.

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including BMX, cyclocross, mountain bike, road and track.